FLYTRAP A/EWS

Volume 7 Number 1 PRICE $2. 50 July / August i September 1993 Free with membership

NEWSLETTER OF THE CARNIVOROUS SOCIETY OF NSW 1qq3 / 1qq4 OFIryCE REARERS. Edilors reporl Denis Daly PRESIDENT Denis Daly (02) 526 1272 VICE PRESIDENT Ken Harper (02) $9 4n4 Recently lwrote to the committee of the ACps oxpressing serious concerns about SECRETARY Wesley Fairhall (02) the 546 5555 various concepts raised by the committee of the Acps in regard to ths matter of amalgamation. I TREASURER Joan Fairhall (02) 546 ssss believe that potsntially acrimonious matters aro best broughi to the fors without "clear SEED BANK MANAGM, Denis Daly (02) 526 1272 delay io ths ai/' and then to gst on with nggotiations 'stew EDITOR Denis Daly (02) 526 12't2 rarther than let them in the background". LIBRARIAN Denis Daly (02) 526 7272 The committee of the ACPS does not believe that local branches can be financed wilhout ALL CORRESPONDENCE (including articles) TO: an.unacceptable increase in subscriptions. The committee of the CPS of NSW believes that all The C.P.S. of N.S.W. existing local branches must be naintained and new ones encouraged to form. The ACps P.O Box 87 committee has taken a step back from "total amalgmation' and nowfeels that only the joint venture Burwood NSW 2134 journal option is viable at this time, Howevsr as most of the membership subscripiions are associated with the journal costs this 'joint venture journal' proposal Meetings are regularly held on the second Friday of the following months does ngt resolve the issue ot the continued financing and existence of local branches. such a is not Fcbruary, March, April, (May in lie of AFil I the snd Friday of AFril ts C@l Frtd.y) June course recommended. (AGM), August, Septembcr, October and November TIME: 7.30 - 10.00pm Members are requested to become involved in this amalgamation process by thinking in VENUE: Woodstock Communiby Ccnhe, Church St, Burrvood. depth about amalgmation and then letting us know your views and suggesiions on this matter.

MEMBERSHIP SI'BSCRIPNONS ARE NOW OVERDUE FOR 1993/1994

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP RATES Some Notes Single Membership within $A15 0n Utricularia subulata Fobert Gibson Family membership within Autralia $A15 Overseas Membership $A17 Utricularia subulata is a commonly found species in most collectigns, even of those who ars not partjal to this genus. The reason is due to the weedy nature of this Please make cheques/money orders payable to the Carnivorous Plart Society of NSW species which has enabled it to cover the greatest natural range of any specie! in the genus flaylor, 1 989) {1 l. lt is tlrerefore not surprising that a number of forms ol this genus exiit, and that CONTEI'fiS is the gist of this article.

Editors Report Denis Daly

Some notes on Utdcularia subulata Hobert GIbson

Cultivation ol Tuberous Robert Gibson l(*- 6mm_..--)l l&penthes cultivatjon Ken Harper K-4* -+l Camivorous around Melboums and ln Western Victoria Robert Gibson L Drosera adelae Ken Harper l ar^ ]oll

ScaTe ' ;fu. )mm"J ,N \A*, The views published in his magazine are those o{ d're autho(s) and are not necessanly those of he Carnivorous I Plant Society ot NSW. l While every ef{ort will be made to print artjcles submjtted in heir entirity, in one edition, he editor reserves the righl to abridge or publish in two or more parls any lenghty artjcle. fl4 0her organisatlons are reminded hal as a matler of courtsey, th€ permisston of dre Carnjvorous Plant Society of U. subulab l9-10-199o NSW and/or the autho(s) should be sought belore repnnting any article published in thrs journal. Hdiz6t:l pile ydlow + n@l yeUow U. rubulau F6 N,bcqde Univmiry Uppc + lowa Up + peLt! - rich goldm erdd lpu jut rh6h, rnd htddh by, the Nde- ovrr€ uppq Up whld srccly y.Uow (rct tuo bne y€ilow ar rhoq ln q10-m It is worthwhile taking a closer look at ths chasmogamous, or lully developed, flowers ol this species. Not plesant produced The species has tlre annoying habit of producing cleistogamous flowsrs, that is, flowers only are they a change from he more commonly small, white cleistogamous flowers but they also reveal the amount 0l variatjon within this which fail to fully open. These are dull whits sfuctures about 2mm across and long and are species in cultivation. produced throughout he year. These flowers self-pollinate and the fins, highly viable ssed matures several weelG latsr. REFERENCES {1 I Taylor, P. 1 989. Kew Eulletin Additional Series: The Genus Uficularia - a taxonomic monograph. Her Majest/s Shtionary Office, London, pp. 724. Fortunately this species also produces flowers which develop fully over a few weeks in mid {21 Schnell, D.E. 1976. Carnivorous Plants of he United Slates and Canada. John F. Blair, Wnston.Salem, spring to early produced greater summer. They appear to be in abundance if the soil begins to dry North Carolina, pp. 125. out, or if grown in a greenhouse. They are yellow, with a 3- lobed Iower lip to 3mm wide by 6mm

across, with a distjnct bllobed palate. The upper lip 4mmm across by 2 to 4mm high. ln Sydney I have found two distinct forms which differ in their outline. Cultivalion ol Tuberous Drosera Hobert Gibson

Tuberous Drosera area diverse yet distinctive group ol sundew, which grow lor only part of the year and seasonally retreat to their underground rootstock. All known species are native lo Australia, with the greatest concentration in the south-west corner of Western Australia. A few species occur in soulhern and eastern Australia, two of which also occur in New Zealand, and one of which extends into South East Asia. Cultivation ot these sundews is not diflicult provided that the dormancy needs are met.

THE SPECIES

Three basic growth forms are recognised. The 'Rainbow Sundews" (Slack, 1 980) have 6. thin ersct or tailing stems, with peltate stem and a terminal . ,] The "Fanleaved" sundews have spathulate to reniform leaves, often strongly folded, with ql r either auxiliary or terminal inflorences. \ ".( ll The rosetted forms have lew-leaved rosettes to 12cm diameter, with an erect, often illl[]i terminal, inflorescence. These forms are nicely illustrated in Lowrie (1987 and 1 9B9a). \,\ f\ a-x' tu- 38 species and 24 (Appendix 1 ) are currently recognised of which lhere are 22 species and 12 subspecies of 'Fainbow Sunded';4 species and 6 subspecies of'fan-leaved" U. subul.ta 21,1 U. subulata 2?-l sundews; 12 species and 6 subspecies of rosetted Drosera (Lowrie, 1989a, 1989b, j987; Bates, 1991; Lowrie and Carlquist 1992; Lowrie and Carlquist 1990; Lowrie and Marchant, 1992). The form which came with most of my Sarracenias has a distincUy 3- lobed lower lip, with Additional species and subspecies may yet to be recognised dus to the incredible variaton lound the two side lobes at approximately 90 degrees to the central lobe. lt's upper lip is up to 4mm tall within these plants. ln addition most species occur in a range of colour forms. and extends distinctly above lhe palate. lt differs from the form which I obtained from Macquarie University in which the 3 lobes of the lower lip are less well defined and the ovate upper lip GROWTH PATTERN scarcely rises above the palate. 0ther forms may occur amongst carnivorous plant collections in Sydney, but they have not yet been recognised due to the short period of time in which these fully- fte majority of species occur in areas which have a Meditenanean climate, is developed flowers are produced. that one in which the majority of the rain falls within the cooler months, and summers are hot and dry. Tuberous Drosera in this situation survive the seasonal summer drought underground, as a tuber with a Bothlocal formsdifferfromtheformillustratedbySchnell I2j (1976 page9l).Thislorm dormant growth bud. During late-summer/early-autumn has an orange-yellow palate with a broadly 3- lobed lower lip. The upper lip rises well clear of the dormancy is broken and the tuber palate. produces an underground shoot (or stolon) from the tuber, lhis reaches the surface typically in autumn, usually at the time that the ambient air conditjons are cooling, and becoming more humid. Most forms of Drosera.auriculata and Drosera peltala in eastsrn Austalia generally follow the growth pattsrn of other'Bainbow sundews'. However Drosera peltata var. graiilis, .nd l.s. often olher varianh of sither species grow in summer, when temp€raturs and witer avaitability ars lavourable for growth.

CULTIVATION

Tuberous Drosera are easy to cultivale provided that the plants are given a dormant period- They ars abls to grow in a range of soil media; however in cultjvation I use ons-part "Novobalt'p€at to two-parts quartz sand mixture. The later I obtain from drains on our bushland property, which contains a range of natural organic matter. However, quarE sand may be readily obtained from nurseries. Avoid sand collected from beaches and river'beds as these ietain toxins (s.9. salt, pesticides, etc.) which will not be removed by washing.

Although the plants develop only a small root systsm lhey do best in large pots. This is due to both the generally large size of the plants, and the good temperature and moiiture conserving properties plastic of a relatively large amount of the potting mix. pots are recommended due to their impervious nature, and Droscra whittakcrii sso abenans 70% tull sie) the optimum sizes are between 10 and 20 cm diameter.

Dormant tubers can be purchased in summer from a few The "Bainbow Sundews'typically start to produce a stem immediately, although a few sources. These are best planted 4 lo I cm below the surface of the slighuy moist mix, the larger tubers are planted greater species produce a basal rosette before this stage. The stem grows erecl, or trails, according to at the depths. The tubers are best planted with the growing point flcing up, these are identified species, and grows throughout he winter, and grows up to i.Bm lonq. A terminal inflorescence is as a small conicallump on the surface, which may be within a small depression. produced at the end of the stem, and most branches, with flowering occurring usually in late-winter some suppliers also sell plants.during the growing season, these are planted immediately, with growth to mid-spring. The flowers typically have white petals, however pink, purple, red and yellowed (if present) at the soil surface. lt is important to note that the tubers are able to reposition flowered forms also occur. The above ground parl of the plant starts to die at this lremseives easili to stage and energy greater depth, if initially planted to shallow. However those planted at too great is spent in rlpening fruit. The plant dies down to the tuber as the ground dries out and becomes a depth may not have sufficient reserves reach dormant. to the surface in lhe subsequent growing piriod and may thus die.

The dormant tubers may be left in their pots which are placed under Both the fan-leaved and rosetled tuberous Droseralollcw a similar summer-dormancy, benches or in a simila location. The soil will keep barely moist during this time due to pot. autumn-emergence and spring-senescence. All but one species of fan-leaved Drosera initjally the size of tire Alternatively the tubers may be lifted and stored in piess-sealed plastic bags, which may be produce a rosette of glandular leaves, this is followed by lhe production of one to several trailing to stored in doors and checked periodically for desiccation oi growth. ln March tire erect branches bearing foided spathulate leaves. The inflorescence(s) are either fonned at ths tubers should'be replanted and any pots with tuberous Drosera given some water. once above ground grovrlh end, or amongst the bases, of the stems. Flowering may thus occur from early-winter to mid- is seen ths pots should be placed in a well-lit position, placed in spring, and the petais are either white or pink. a saucer with a few centj-mefes of standing fresh waler and left lo grow. Thin bamboo wooden stakes may be placed in pots containing tall trailing species. The rosetled Drosera generally form a ground-huggrng rosette in autumn followed by flowering in late-autumn to late-winter. Production of additional leaves, or the eniargement oi Once the above-ground portion of he plant begins to die, often obtaining a strong red, rosetled leaves may occur after flowering. ln ali but hvo cases the scapes emerge from the centre . 0r yellow colour belore this, the pot should be removed from the saucer of the rosetle. Two hysteranthous species, Drosera praeiolia and D, zonaria, initially produce and the witering st6ppeo. rr a pots lett in their it may be wise to use small twigs or toothpicks to mark the general loiation'of scape in mid-autumn, the rosette forms at the side of the scape, at ground level, and both pushes it tubers- Drowra auriculata and forms from eastern aside and partially covers it as he leaves grow. 0.lellala Australia are tire general exception to this rule and may be stored in the pot in a moist, sunny situation. Drosera peltaia var. gracilis can survive moisture in its dormant period, and in mild coastal ctimates it otten growiin pfrise The tuber is renewed annually, during the growing season and may be covered in witn tne other species and subspecies. sheathes. Some species produce adventitious stolons during the growing season, at the end of each a small "daughter' tuber is produced. Plants may be lertrlised with a dilute solution of Potassium nrtrat€ to increase the size of ths plants. Apply at half the recommended strength during the sarly growing period. Avoid applying too lrequently and, if in doubt, oxperimont with a plant you would not be unhappy to lose.

Tuberous Droseraara not immuns to pests and are occasionally attacked by aphids and caterpillars, These are best removed by hand. PROPAGATION i

Tuberous Drosera nay be propagated by both sexual an asexual means. Seed is best sown in the first autumn after it has been produced, in similar conditjons to the parent plants. fte ssed ol some species of tuberous Drosera (e.9. some D. erythrorhiza subspecies) may not germinate in ths first growing season. Seed grown plants generally need two, or more ysars to reach flowering size, although D. auriculata seedlings may produce a lew flowers at the end of their first growing season if kept in moist soll.

Asexual propagation may occur naturally via ths production of additjonal tubers. The abundance and location of these daughter tubers varies according to species, and may be produced beside or above the parent tub€r (as in D. olatypoda); at the end of horizontal stolons (!. erythrorhiza ssp erythrorhiza); at the end of droppers produced from the base of above-ground growth (D, tubaestylus); or irom stolons extending from the axils of cauline leaves (D. radicans). These are produced when the plants are growing in optimum conditions. The tubers may be divided during the dormant period if desired.

Leaf cuttings from a few species are also successlul, 9.9. D. gigantea (Pietropaolo and Pietropaolo, 1986, pg. 91). Healthy mature leaves are chosen and placed on a damp pottjng medium. Small plantlets will form if the cutting is successful and will produce small tubers by he end of the growing season. Alternatively detached leaves or stem sections may be placed in damp sand or set floating in clean fresh water, in a well-lit environment, and will often form plantJets (Vickery, 1933).

SUMMARY BEFEHENCES: Tuberous Droseraareeasytogrowinlargeplasticpolsinamixof peatandsand.They Bates, R. 1991.'Drosera Paefolia (Tepper): A species endemic to Soufr Ausfalia., can be stored easily in their pots during summer, and placed in a saucer of shallow water in a well- Gardens. Vol 14, No.1. Lowle, A. 1989a Camivorous Plants of 2. press, lit position from autumn to early spring when they have above-ground growth. The main tasks in Apstralia;-Volume University ol Westem Australia Nedlands. pp 202. Lowie, A 1989b. 'A study of Drosera whittakeri-like plants found in South Australia.' Bullelin of he Australian growing them successfully is in annually shifting the pots, or saucers, or in storing tubers in well- Camivorous Plant Sociaty, Vol g, N0.3, pp 43-49. plastjc in sealed bags the dormant period. LoMi€, '1987 Camivorous A. Plants Qf Ar{sjralia: Volume 1. University of Westem Aus[alia Press, Nedlands. pp 200. phyrotogia, Lo*lt, and S. 1 992. 'Eight New Tax a ol Drxeralrom Austratia.. I larhuist, 7g(2), p. 9g-1 1 6. Tuberous Lowrie, A. Drosera come in a large range of colours, shapes and sizes and many and Cariquist, S. 1 990. 'A New Species of Tuberous Drosara from Wesiern Austratia.: ptrvtotooia, aS1Sl, p. spectacular species are available. They are dormant when many other genera of carnivorous 1 60.162. Lowrie' '1992. plants are in full growth and vice versa. They thus enabls you to havs an intsresting carnivorous A. and Marchant, N. 'Four New Drasera taxa from souh western Australia.'Nusria, s(o), p. 32t032. and Pietropaolo, Camivorous press, plant collection throughout the year. ller.oegol.otJ. P. 1986. Plants of the World. Timbe. noffi Oieijdn, pp. zoo. Slack, A 1 980. Camivorous Plants, A.H. and AW. Reed, Sydney, pp 240. Vrckery' J. 1 933. 'Vegetative reproduction in Drosera peltata ani D. auriculata.' Proc- Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol 58, pp.245-269. Nepenlhes cultlvatlon Ken Harper Appendlx 1: A llst of cunently recognlsed Tuberous Drosera species. subspecles and General Notes varlanls. There are over 70 species of Nepenthes found growing mainly in south East Asia but extending to Madagascar, lndia, New Caledonia and Capa york in Australia. Balnbow Sundews Fan-Leavod Sundews D. andersoniana D. flmbriata Nepenthes can be divided into two groups - Lowland (1/3 of all Nepenlies species) and D, auriculata D. platypoda Highland typ6s (the remajnlng z3 al Nepenthes species). Lowland types grow in ths tropical D. bicolor D. ramellosa ) rainforestbelow 1000m altitude and prefer high temperature and high humidity all day. Highland D. bulbigena D. stolonifera ssp. stolonifera types grow above 1000m altjtude, stlll in tropical conditions, but preferring cooler, wetter nights. D. erythrogyna D. stolonilera ssp. compacta D. gigantea D. stolonifera ssp. humils ) This plant is a vine and in the damp jungle uses he tendrils at the end of ths leaves to D. gigantea ssp. geniculata D. stolonrfera ssp. monticola wrap around othsr vegstatjon and support itself. ln this manner plants may grow in excess ol 15m. D. graniticola D. stolonilera ssp. porrscta pitchers The develop lrom he ends of the tendrils and vary in shape, size and colour according to D. heterophylla D. stolonifera ssp. prostrata the species. D. huegelii D. stolonifera ssp. rupicola D. macrantha ssp. macrantha lnsects are atuacted by the secretions of the nectar glands which are situated on the lid D. macrantha ssp. sremasa and rim of Lhe pitchers. All Nepenlhos traps contain some fluid and when an inssct falls into his the D. macrantha ssp. planchonii digestlve glands secrete an acid which breaks down the prey and makes lor easy absorption by D, marchantii ssp. marchantji the plant. Drgestton is very last and large insects may be consumed in two days. D. marchantii ssp. prophylla D. menziesii ssp. basilolia Rosetted Sundews Culllvation D. menziesii ssp. menziesii D. browniana D. menziesii ssp. penicillaris D. bulbosa ssp. bulbosa A widely held myth is that all Nepenthes must be grown in a heated greenhouse or an D. menziesii ssp. thysanosepala D. bulbosa s$p. major environment chamber. lf this method is chosen, then a suitable chamber can be easily constructed D. microphylla D. erythrorhiza ssp. srythrorhiza using an aquarium with about 5 cm of water into which is placed a submersible aquarium heater. plants D. modesta D. erythrorhiza ssp. collina The should sit above the water and, for lowland plants, by covered by a lid. water level D. myriantha D. erythrorhiza ssp. magna should be checked frequenUy to snsurs that the heater is always immersed. Temperatures should not drop D. neesii ssp. neesii D. erythrorhiza ssp. squamosa below 15"C at night and humidity should be kept between 70%-90%. D. neesii ssp. borealis D. lowriei Almost all of my highland Nepenlh€s grow in D. pallida D. macrophylla ssp. macrophylla an unheated shadehouse and grow brilliantly in sydney's climato. This is the easiest system maintain D. peltata (Eastern Australian varieties) D. macrophylla ssp. monantha to and will not contribute in any way to heating bills but lowland Nepentheswill D. pelhta var. foliosa D. orbiculala struggle if thay are not kept warm enough during winter. D. peltata va. gracilis D. praefolia A wide vaiety of pottrng mediums can be used, but tlre main requirement is D. peltata ssp. 'W.A. Form' D. prostratoscaposa that it should be open to allow good drainage. Equal parts orchid bark and sphagnum moss, straight D. radicans D. rosulata sphagnum moss or, my favourite mix, of 2 parts orchid bark, 2 parts peat moss and one part each perlite D. salina D. tubaestylus of and coarse river sand have all proven successful over the years. I always line he bottom of D. stricticaulis D. whittakeri ssp. abenans each pot with sphagnum moss and include a couple more strands in the mix itself to indicate tirs relatjvs D. subhirtella ssp. subhirtella D. whittakeri ssp. whittakerii healthiness of the plant and its soil. D. subhirtella ssp. moorei D. zonaria

As a general rule Nepenthes should not stand in water but I have had good success growing them in water trays. The flght mix of water and dryness takes some working out as too much water around the roas al Nepenthes will causs inhiblted root growth and sometrmes root rot. ln Flytrap News Volume 6 Number 3 (Jar/Feb/March 1993) my water uay method of growing cps ) was discussed in greater detail. )

10 Failure to produce pitchers can be attributed to lack of light and/or lack of humidity and ln tho adjacent woodlands colonies of D. whittakeri ssp. aberransware found in the dry- plants can be fertilised from mid Spring through lo Autumn everlsix weeks. I have not fertilised my surlacsd sandy soil, often in the company ol numerous genera of terrestrial orchids. Many rosettes plants for ovel five years but it .l can be done using a lertiliser at i strength about /4 that were strll bedewed, green to orange in colour, and up to 5 cm diameter. fts plants were locally recommendsd for orchids. common due to the production ol daughter tubers along stolons which chffaclerise this subspecies. Drosera auriculala and D, macrantha ssp. planchonii have also been found in this cuttings can be taken in spring or summer to keep the plant compact and bushy and a area but none were lound on this visit. variety of other propagation techniques ars outlined in most cp bools. I have tried almost all techniques and cuttings still appear the simplest and best method lor reproducing Nepenthes. Furthsr west ws lound Drosera pellala growing in abundance in swampy soil beside the road adjacent to farmland. Amongst tlrem I found a single rosette ot D. glanduligera, Easy to grow Nepenthes includei 3 cm in diamater. lt had a single scap€, to 4 cm tall, with at least ten flowers. Nons wers open at the time of Lowland specles- N.ampullaria, N.gracilis, N.mirabitis, N.rafflesiana my visit but orange petals were visible on some buds. ln this area naturalised Sparaxis grandillora Highland species- N.alata, N.fusca, N.khasiana, N.maxina, N.sanguinea, N.ventricosa grew in abundance, and has the potential lo crowd out these Drosera.

Ulilcularia ausfalls was found in roadside ditches in slow-moving brown water a few hundrsd meters east 0f the south Australian border. The species was uncommon, and plants were up to 20 cm long, floating between 1 and 10 cm below the water surtace. The much divided leaves Bobert Gibson wsre up to 3 cm long, with one primary division, with 2 to 6 traps each. No plants were in scape, flower or fruit, and tlrey grew amongst species of Typha, Rannunculus, Azolla, and Juncus. No The following account is based upon a few days ol travelling around western Victoria, and Drosera were found in this area. Melbourne, in late october and early November, 1992. lwas in lhe iompany of two Victorians, Robert Gassin.and sean spence, who showed me many sites containing nitive carnivorous The next area visited was the Grampians. The flrst stop was a swampy area just within the plants, I also visited two nurseries in Melbourne. Grampians Natonal Park, where flowering tJ. dichromalagrew in abundance in the roadsids guttsrs and adjacent flooded heathland. The plants had scapes 20 cm tall which supported Weslern Vicloria one or two flowers each. The majority of scapes had purple-petalled flowers, with dark purple around ths yellow central 2 or 3 ridges of the palate. However, several scapes had fully white (with yellow Two Areas in western Victoria were visited, each containing several carnivorous plants, central rldges of the palate), or predominanuy white (with pernola a slight touch of purple and yellow on the The first was between Hamilton and (s.A.), where we invesiigated lakeside a in an area of palate) flowers.Pink-flowered U.tenella(syn.Polyponpholyxlenella\grewontheedgeof the native heathland and low woodland. Bobert was keen to show lJiricularia ne beaugtenotiii,inicn shallow Iakes, and the flanks of low rises, within the flooded heath. The low rises, which typically he had seen in the lake shallows, however, the lake level was very high oue to uns-easonatty nign supported low woody shrubs, were lhe majn Drosera habitat. Flowering rosettes of D. pygnaea,lo spring rainfall. The Utiicularia sites were flooded, in addition, tire planis ttowered tater tha;;6rmal 1.5 cm diameter, grew on their flanks, often wilh [J. lenetla. A few plants ol D. whitakeri ssp. last year due to the cold, wet spring (s. spence, pers. comm, lggg). utricularia dichotomaand IJ. aberrans grew on the higher parts. The orange-green rosettes were up to 5 cm diameter, and were nEntl1ra have also been recorded at this site, but were not seen. concentraled under the sparse canopy of low woody plants and taller herbs. Amongst them grew a few plants ol D. glanduligera, in scape bul wilh unopened flowers. ALong .. _ the lake edge D. peltataand D. pygnaeawere locaily common in the wet gravelly soil. The Drosera pellata plants were golden gieen in colour, often with multiple stems lo-o ,rn urr, ln the Grampian Range proper, around Halls Gap, flowering tJ. dichomata grew prolifically sulmounting_the still living basal rosette. Many plants were in bud, and tfris firm nas wnite-fetatteO 0n wet, moss-covered roadside rock. They were found in a similar situatjon in a scenic valley flowers and fully-hairy, olive-green , and is the common form of D. peltatainvictoriajn. known as'The Grand canyon". These plants grew in a habitatwhich dries out in summer and they Gassin, pers. comm, 1992). The Drosera pygrnaea rosettes were up to 15 mm in diameter ind thereforeactasanannual (R.Gassin,pers.comm., 1992).Anattractiveformof D. auriculata,wilh many were in bud. 0f interest, a few non-flowering plants 0f stylidiin granimifolrum grew with the red leaves and stems, and pink-petalled flowers, and the golden-green, white-petalled varioty Drosera. of D. pellatagrew togelheronmoss-coveredrockwith [J.dichonata.BothDroserawereinbud,butthe flowers were not open in the rainy, overcast conditions.

12 13 Just outside lhe park Utricularia australis grew in a roadside pond. The unbranched plants grew to 12 cm long. A short distance inside the Botanic gardens D. whittakeri ssp. aberransand Lhe pink'petalled, red stem and leaf variety ol D. auriculalagrew together on a low riss in low woodland.

I parked in the Stringybark picnic area car park, ths startlng point of many walks which go through he healhland and woodland of the Botanic Gardens, and connect many themo plantings of native plants. lwsnt on a few of the walks and found five specles of Drosera and two Utricularia species. Drosera auriculatawas the most common carnivorous plant seen and grew beside the path in the swampy to moist, but well drained, sandy soil, Drosera whittakeri ssp. aberans was locally common in moist, but not saturated swampy soil. Surprisingly many plants grew in very shaded conditions under a moderately dense canopy of low growing woody plants and herbs. The green rosetles grew to 4 cm diameter, and wers often arranged in lines radiating out from a central cluster of plants. This configuration reflects the subspecies'stoloniferous nature. ln many areas segments of stolon emerged above the soil surface. These had small scale-like leaves along their length which, in many cases where above ground, grew to larger size and had retentive glands. Only two plants, out of ths hundreds seen, had the remains of flowers.

ln an open, wet, disturbed area, which contained several shallow lakes, other carnivorous plant species occuned. Red rosettes of D. pygmaea and D. spatulala grew in the wet sandy-clay soil. The lalter lormed rosettes to 5 cm in diameter, where shallowly submerged and wers developing scapes. Drosera peltata and D. auriculata occurred in better drained areas near this site, on either side of the path, and were in bud. ln the lake margins a few flowering plants of U. laterilloraand U. dichotona occurred, the later extending into the lake shallows.

One plant of D. glanduligera, in bud, was found growing in a cleared area, with D. pettala, besides a creek in the northern parl of the gardens.

No carnivorous plants were seen growing high up on the vegetated sandunes. The only locally-native carnivorous plant in the Gardens that I did not see was D. binala.

Following this I drove to Garden World. ln Collecto/s Corner there was a 1.5m by 4m carnivorous plant display. This consisted of Sarracena, Dionaea, some Drosera, flowering utricularia, Pinguicula and some small Nepenthes plants. There wers some uncommon plants for sals as well as a good selectjon of carnivorous plant books. Bromeliads, Bonsai, a galaxy of orchids and a range of other plants were on display in this area. Melbourne My last stop was Dingley Fern Market where a selection of carnivorous plants (Sanacenia, spent a full day in Melbourne and I visited lhe cranbourne Botanic Gardens, Garden Drosera, Dionaea, Cephalotus and Utricularia) were on display and on sale. I was granted World and Dingley Fern Market. permission ol the owner, Colin Clayton, to see the carnivorous plant-filled igloos on the nursery grounds. These held an abundance ol Sarracenia, Drosera, Dionaea, Cephalotus, some Bobert Gassin has been actively involved in building up a carnivorous plant collection at Utricularia, P nguicula and Nepenthes. Arnongst them were scattered clusters of pots of cranbourne Botanic Gardens. several species grow naturaliy in the heathland which makes up a He I i anpho r a helerodox a. portion large of this Botanic Gardens. Robert kindly provided me with locatjons of these locally native carnivorous plant species.

14 The following day I caught . a bus to sydney. lt had been interosting to see native Table 1 .1 : Magnitud e o I po llen gra ins (ln mllllmetres) o I d illerent types ol D.adelae and lhs plants carnivorous in western victoria and near Melbourne, and also to visit two of the main related speclss. From Studnicka (1988). carnivorous plant selling nurseries in Melbourne, ::,,.',:, 0.ptollleta D,adelae D,adolao ' rcd flower whitish llower ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Iargost grain 0.038 0.048 0.040 0.044 I wish to thank Robert Gassin, and his family, for providing transport, accommodation, and grain 0.040 general hospitality during my stay in Victoria. smallsst 0.026 0.036 0.036

average ol 10 0.030 0.043 0,039 0.043 piec€s

Droseraadelae Ken Harper

A category of carnivorous plants rarely written about is the North Queensland rainforest - sundews comprising Drosera adelae, D.proliferaand D,schizandra. Flytrap Newshas published artides.devoted lo D.prolifera (Harper, 19BB) and D.schizandra(Gibsorq AprillMay/June't991) and the final member ol this group, D.adetae, will be discussed in this article. . commonly known as the Lance-Leaved sundew, D.adelaeisnative only to eueensland and grows naturally in the hills in the Rockingham Bay and Dalrymple's creek aieas and on Hinchinbrook lsland in beds of moss along creek bani

ln recent years a variety of D.adelaellower colour forms, ranging lrom red to apricot to a . greeny-white, have been recorded and distributed to CP growers all oveithe world. I giow only ttre red and apricot flowered varieties ol D.adelae.The floweiscapes are up to 30 cm tallind each usually bears 10 to 30 llowers. Stylcs arrd stjtlrl;rtf, of Droseru arle lae - whitish type (A),D.adelae - red type (B), D.prolift'rt ((') .urcl I).,scli:rnlru (D), Frorn Sluclnicka ('l9u8). . Studnicka (1988) has studied variations betvteen D.adelae, D.proliferaand D.schizandra and soms of his results are reproduced in the following table. lt is interesting to nots that the pollen of the red-flowered D.adelaeis25% smaller than the pollen of the whitish-fl-owered form. ln examining the varialions bef,veen the red flower and whitish flower forms ol D.adelae,il can be seen that the flower structure is very similar. The whitish flower form is perhaps a misnomer it is green, Like Lavarack (1 as essentially almost heteorophylla, in colour. The difierences in flower and sexual 979), Studnicka asserts that all the above species should be included in the section Arachnopus, organ svucture belween lhese two lorms are well illustrated in figure 2. contrary to Diels ( 1 906) whose initjal investigation plac& D.indici, D.adelae and D'schizandrain this Section. D.proliferawas not discovered until 1937 jtaceO anO Oy Grven the characteristics of the red and whitish flower forms, my apricoFflowered D.adelae White in the separate Sectjon Prolifera in 1940 because of lhe marked difference in the roiund to petals petiolate have similar in size to the red-ilovrered form but a flower structure of the whitish type. lt long leaves and. the production of small vegetalive buds on the apex of the old ttower might therefore the apricot-flowered form is merely scape. be assumed that a hybrid between the red and The former grouping would appear logical given the structurs of thi styles and stigmata whitish flowering varieties, but tiirs has yet to be [horoughly investigated. (see figure 1). Being a tropical rarnforest dweller, D.adelae requires some humidity ln order to thrive in cultivation but appreciates higher light intensity than bolh D.prolileraand D.schizandra. Despits my best offorts, I have not had good success in growing D.adelae in full sun all year round. The hotlest days of a Sydney summer badly affect he broad D.adelae leaves and soms protection is needed during at least the summer months lrom the strongest of ths sun's rays. Like the other Norlh Queensland Drosera, D.adelae appreciates temperatures not exceeding 40"C in summer and not below 10"C in winter. lts ideal environment involves about 60-70% humidity and 25"C average temperaturs.

Figue 2: FIowen md sexual orgms of Drosaa sd.elae - whitish type (left) nd D.adelae - red type (right). From Studnicka (1988).

Over the years I have grown D.adelae in a number of dilferent mixes, ranging from pure sphagnum moss to a mix of 2 parls peat moss: 1 part sand: 1 part perlite. Following my recent growing results, lonly use the laiter mix and my plants have reached flowering size about 12 months earlier than similarly-sized plants grown in sphignum moss.

D.adelae is an easy sundew to cultivate. Thls species produces many'sucker'plants (planUets) from its extensive root system if it is given reasonable Iight intensity and humidity. These sucker plants can be detached and repotted once thejuvenile rotund/petiolate leaves change to lance-shaped adult leaves - undoubtedly the easiest mehod to propagate this sundew.

Photograph of Drosera (Apricot-flower photographed adalae form). in iury 1993 by Robert Gibson from Ken Harpers collection.

1B 19 slack (1 983) asserts . lhat D.adelae can be propagated by "leaf cuttings and seed,. I have neverbeenabletogetthis Droseralosetseedanddonotknourofanygrow-erwhohashadany success with this method. lt has been suggested (Riedl, 1985) nat o.iaiebe,rike o.o,inara ano D;hamiltonii,,needs plants two from different clones to ensure iertilisation. Uniif fast yeaiaff my plants wers from the same D.adelae clane but now that I have the apricorflowering fom I *irr attempt t0 cross-pollinate between these'two forms to verify Fiedl's information. Ldaf cuttings are a satisfactory method to obtain new plants but they will take lbnger to reach maturity than eiil;er root cuttings or repotting the proliiic suckers.

To simulate its natural conditions, I now only grow D.adelaeinpots standing in water trays. Alternative growing environments can include aquaiiums, plastic domes, tenariumsl or pots covered by inverted cut-off plastic drink bottles. lt does noi appear to matter which of these methods are used as this sundew grows equally well in each.

D.adelaeis unlike almost all other sundews in that its roots grow both horizontally and and it is therefore preferable lertigally to restrict it to a well-defined p-ot size. some y.u,, .fo t prt D.adelaein peat jt asmall bog and has been very difflcult to eradicate as the other species" (D.prolif9r3t D'pulchella, P.primurirtora, etc) have begun to spread. Ail the roots n.rd to be removed if it is to be eliminated. However, I have grown red-flowered D.adetaeina 4Jiks ice- cream container without any other cps for many years and it looks sensatjonal when grown en masse.

The three North oueensland Droseraare gradually becoming more widely grown in cp collections all over the world. Of these sundews, D.adelae"is both the easiest to obtiin and to grow but this should not detract from its.overall appeal. I have found that Drosera aaetae comftements my.other tropical cPs and I hope.that growers all get the opportunity of growing and cultivating one of the very few Australian tropical sundews.

Belerences:

Diels, L (1906): Oroseraceae, in Engler, A.: Das pllenzenreich Helt 26. .l Harper, Ken: " 19 Flytrap News gg8 issue. Lavanck, P.S': Hainforest Droseraof North oueensland,jg g Camivorous Plant Newsletter Vol. No. 2, June- i979. Riedl, Robert: sundews - of ho North eueensland rainforest, in Flytrap News vol. r ru0. z, septoct ise!. Slack, Adrian; Carnivorous plants.- Rev. ed.. Sydney: Doubleday Adfa[a, 1 9g3. Studnicka,M':Anew Drosera[romheseclionAracinopus?[barnivorousPlantNewsletterVol.jTNo.l,March 1988.

ARTICLES ON CABNIVOROUS PLANTS ARE WANTED DHAWINGS, SKETCHES and PHOTOGRAPHS (send one print and the negative {the print and the negative will be returned}) This is your journal. It is as good as you make it.

FTN VOL 7 NO 1. 1993

20 The Carnivorous Plant Society of New South Wales USE OF YOUR SEED BANK MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL / APPLICATION Members are reminded that the seed bank is there as a service to them and that they should make use of it to obtain Camivorous Plants by growing lhem As Carnivorous Plant Society of NSW membership year is to from seed. Seed donations are a way in which your surplus seeds get a chance to July June, grow rather than rot. Seeds others donate may be just what you want but it is a two The 1993-1994 membership subscriptions are now due. way street in that your donation helps other members. In case you have overlocked renewing your membership you have been sent this Members can register as interested in Nepenthes seed to be automatically complimentary copy of Fly Trap News. However you should be aware that this w'r be the last issue vou renew vour sent Nepenthes seed as soon as obtained by the seed bank. x1#fl?k[?Hl",i#llJ:?"tff#nress

The seed bank is not intended to make a profit and lhe charges are The 199&94 membership rates are as follows (please cirde category of membership):- intended to cover postage and incidental costs only. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL / APPLICATION Secretary Overseas members should note that under Australian CITES legalisation, Camivorous Plant Society of N.S.W as a12418193, no Carnivorous plant seed is listed on Australian CITES schedules P.O. Box 87 and thus the Australian Nationai Parlcs and Wildlile service would not be able to BURWOOD N.S.W.2134 Subription: Sinsle membershiD witNn Australia .A.S15 issue export permits for any Carnivorous Plant seed. Seeds sent inlo Australia Family membership witNn Australia (one copv of louml) A$15 should be clean, free of rubbish, in separate envelopes labelled with genus and Overpas Membershio A$17 species and sent parcel post with the green inlernational customs sticker declaring Namc them to be seeds and accompanied with a list as to the enclosed seed packets to Pncl:l Al;lraac assist inspection by customs officers at the international post office. Australian Phnna ,f)-ri^- customs officers cannot open letters without the recipients presence at the Date: ...... /...... / ...... / international post office, while they can open, inspect and forward on parcel post items. Unless otherwise requested it is intended that seeds exported from Australia will be sent in the same manner as that detailed above which would Please make cheques/money orders payable to The Carnivorous Plant Sociefy of lacilitate import of seeds into Australia. New South Wales and send it with this completed form to:-

The Carnivorous Plant Society of N.S.W. The Seed bank requires Australian CP seed kom plants in cultivation for P.O. Box 87 BURWOOD N.S.W.2134 trading with overseas members. The seeds must be from plants in cultivation (AUSTRALIA) SEED BANK LIST / ORD CARNTVOROUS PLANT SOCIETY of N.S.W. rq.Mrd:cBE $ c $c SEED BANK ANd PETTY CASH REPORT

$LE t99l c 3l 6i x sit) r sJ'C l99l c for period 13h August 1993 to 10ft September 1993 12 6pr$)Xtp l99l c kc?hyU tryr c S ApYXg t9l c Dlfu (ML XqFhu N.z) l99t I g Srd lsl c ush 1992 t S Sr't: X $ rsl c CASH RECEIPTS l9l 5 hddPh lsl Dsplb|lwL.0 192 3t D. rb. l99l l9l X D.d G{Lmryh) ln I TOTAL t hh ..? tu.d lsr c 39 D.d (W.TA9 l99l I l0 DaFd 192 4 Cash on hand at 13-8-93 30.65 30.65 ll s.TH I 99t . {l D.llbbilud lnl l2 S.sbn r9 Nbn I 99t C D..dorlrr (w.rAS) OhD l99l Receiots bv cheoue 0.00 30.65 l3 lrl € D,hmd ehEn4s,/d&, l99l Receipts bv cash 2.80 33.45 ll lst s D.flffio)w.O) lrl l5 lrl c s Drqtub 6,AdJ t9tl Paments to treasues account 0.00 33.45 r5 6. X SF) XU.u t9l c s S,prFil fu.puu (WC.rd.) lfl tsl a 1.20 Postaee 32j5 l! Sr..dh X S.d.b t9l c g D.dpild 192 Miscellaneous Experses Nil 0.00 t9r c a9 l99l 20 l9l Cash on hand 13{-93 32.25 2r :- sr 6.rx$xsl t99l Z S lvB.'r (! r ap.) l99t c . 52 $Xsr'r' l99l A gX$'dbm- tsl c $ D. tundue (w. orc.) l99l 2l $rtF li9l c g 199t R CRnort nsnrus E $X6.FXSr) I 991 c . $ D.6WdsMffi ti9l c 26 S X Srilu lrt c $ Dbdb 1992 t 57 1992 2t hXh'Sid lrt c $ Sr*dru l99r 29 (S6X$)XSl r99t c 59 t99l I Credit points due on I 1-5-92 20.81 30 $xb tst c 6 l99t t Credit mints due to unstisfied sales 0.00 SUTMAL Total credit ooints owins on 11S93 20.81 MAL-rcMuffi" m^l'PAm" IACXSIp MALM@SE" of cedtt only be given in Lieu of change on Drre to a rslution pasd at the melmg 12-39t wi[ order Ltss MAL.PAD" that of will b€ lr th€ true spirit of . donadon and as a wble to be fully stis6ed. lt is expected dorotioN €d @de lt

Uqe of seed bank lf +. must have cedlt b ls.

The *d bank ls provided for memb€r's w. Ib val@ to 6 all (lncludlng you) ls b€ing a means of PACK€TEI) obtalnlng plants tlEt you have not 8ot yet. eaNlAcrIEIA&S

Pkr

Denis Daiy Seed bank Managel r0 /9 /93

.'PACKETED'' TOTAL

KEY(r) Rarity of Seds KEY (2) Spci6 C!d6

l-br. pYpM-phid A - Av.ry orklum

0) - V.d.Vd fhn quEtuh. r:f H-Eh-pioidfbF ryb tY eh.psr.da